An Exploratory Study of the Impact of the Year of 9/11 on Older Hispanic Immigrants in New York City

Hispanics are the largest minority in the US and may be at increased risk for the mental health consequences of disasters. Elderly Hispanics are vulnerable in terms of both age and ethnicity and are the fastest growing subpopulation among the aged.We conducted an exploratory, qualitative investigation of the impact of the year of 9/11 on older Hispanic immigrants in New York City. Six focus groups were conducted with a total of 31 elderly Hispanics attending a community senior center day program. Participants reported on their psychological reactions to the traumatic events of 9/11, the crash of Flight 587, and the anthrax scare. Most subjects had recovered from their acute distress reactions to 9/11 and Flight 587 four months post-September 11, but many still experienced a wide range of psychological reactions related to these traumatic events, including anxiety, avoidance, and hypervigilance. To develop relevant interventions for this population, social workers need to learn more about the psychological impact that the events of the year of 9/11 had on older Hispanics. Such interventions are necessary, especially given the continuing preoccupation in the US over the threat of terrorist acts and the possibility of war.